Sara Gray Photography Portland, Oregon

Isn’t the Internet wonderful? Without it, I wouldn’t have met Alexis and Daniel. Thanks to the introduction of a mutual friend (who I hadn’t talked to in 15 years!) I now have the wonderful opportunity to photograph their wedding in October. We met up recently to do their engagement session, which was so fun.

When I said, “How about piggy-back?” she turned to him and said, “Alright, hop on Daniel!”

This is Alexis and Daniel’s dog, Riley. He is so sweet and full of energy!

Cute fun fact: Alexis and Daniel picked out each other’s outfits for this combination. I think they did a great job!

Check back tomorrow for a few more from this fun lakeside session!

After the dust settled from their wedding, I met up with Kristi and Jason the afternoon after their wedding and we spent a little time out on the sand near their rental house. It was so beautiful and they were really basking in the glow of their big day.

Look how happy and un-frazzled they both look just the afternoon after their wedding! That’s just how they are. We should all be so lucky.

I love Jason’s orange tie!

I hope you’ve enjoyed seeing Kristi and Jason’s wedding weekend photos throughout this week – I really enjoyed taking them! Thank you so much, Kristi and Jason, for being such wonderful clients and for making me feel just like a member of your families!

Sometimes I’m amazed at the wonderful families I get to see in my line of work, and Kristi and Jason’s families were absolutely no exception. Look at their larger family cheering them on – what great people!

Their first dance made me swoon – the music, the yummy soft light and all the emotion going on between the two of them.

Jessica’s toast made Kristi cry – and she wasn’t the only one!

Then they took their parents for a spin on the dance floor.

Thank you so much, Kristi and Jason, for sharing your special day with me. It was lovely and I feel so lucky to have been there and to call you both friends. Thanks also to Annie Ruden, my dedicated second shooter for the day.

It’s not quite over yet – check back tomorrow for some scenes from Kristi and Jason’s beautiful, laid-back day-after session, barefoot in the sand!

It’s not that common anymore for a couple not to see each other before the wedding, but Kristi and Jason didn’t see each other before, and there was this wonderful anticipation in the air all afternoon, until she made her entrance, walking down her petal-strewn aisle with her dad.

Once they did see each other, there were some tears and lots of happiness.

Seriously, what a fun couple! Kristi and Jason have been so much fun to work with, and easy too, even though they did most of their wedding planning from Colorado.

Yes, that’s right – they did have a cupcake tower. They were delicious – take my word for it. Tune in one more day to see some scenes from Kristi and Jason’s beachy reception full of family and friends!

I started Kristi and Jason’s wedding day with Kristi, her sister Jessica and her future mother-in-law at the salon, where the ladies were primped before the wedding. I love this part of a wedding day – it’s calm, it’s a fun time for the girls to chat and it’s relaxing.

Later on, Jessica helped Kristi get into her dress. I love the beachy dress Kristi picked – it really fit her laid-back personality. She was such a calm, cool bride!

Gerbera daisies have been my favorite for a long, long time, so imagine how excited I was when I saw her bouquet! I loved the vibrant oranges and yellows.

Come back tomorrow to see their gorgeous ceremony and scenes from their reception on the Oregon coast!

I’d like to welcome you, blog readers, to Kristi & Jason week! This whole week, I’ll be sharing images from Kristi & Jason’s seaside destination wedding that happened on Aug. 1. I had a blast photographing them, meeting their family and enjoying their company. We start today with their laid-back rehearsal dinner.

Since Kristi and Jason are from Colorado and their families are from all over the country (mostly the Midwest and California), this was a destination wedding on the Oregon coast. They did a great job having lots of chances for their guests to gather and celebrate throughout their wedding weekend.

Their rehearsal dinner was a laid-back barbecue at a great little pub in downtown Garibaldi, Oregon (which is a tiny little town on the beautiful Oregon coast where Kristi’s aunt and uncle live).

It was so relaxing for everyone to enjoy themselves, have a beer and some fresh grilled fish and enjoy their time together.

Kristi and Jason were even relaxed! I had so much fun, and this party really set the stage for their beautiful wedding the next day. Check back tomorrow to see how it all happened!

By the time Callie and Ray walked back up the aisle and husband and wife, no eye was dry and I was feeling inspired by the minister’s lovely sermon about being committed to one another.

Look at Callie’s family, cheering them on – these were to be the party animals later in the night!

Of course, all party animals need a ringleader…

Callie was determined to have fun at her wedding, and she totally did, cutting a rug until into the evening with her family members and friends. It was so fun to watch – I even got down with her a few times!

And once the partying was winding down, they shared a sweet moment during their last dance of the evening:

Callie and Ray, you are both wonderful friends and such inspiring people. I had so much fun at your wedding and I know you’re going to have many happy years taking care of one another. Congratulations to you both, and thanks for letting me be a part of your big day!

Callie and Ray picked a doozy of a hot day to get married – and they handled the heat really well. No complaints, just lots of smiling at each other.

The bridge over the highway to the Museum of Glass is so beautiful!

We also shot a little at the Hotel Murano, which is a very hip spot in the revitalized downtown area of Tacoma.

Their ceremony was at the Kilworth Memorial Chapel on campus at the University of Puget Sound, which is lush and green and beautiful. Callie didn’t even make it through the door before she started to cry, and everyone was with her. I don’t think there was a dry eye in the house.

One more day tomorrow of Callie and Ray’s ceremony and reception!

Callie and Ray, married July 26, 2009

Tacoma, Washington (Kilworth Chapel at UPS campus, followed by Varsity Grill downtown Tacoma)

When you go to someone’s wedding and see the people they’ve surrounded themselves with, it’s pretty eye-opening. It tells you what kind of community they have, what they value and what they really care about. Callie and Ray’s wedding was like that – a true testament to their value of community.

We took some portraits in downtown Tacoma near the Museum of Glass – it’s such a great spot! If you’re one of those people who has only driven through Tacoma, stop next time! It’s awesome!

Callie and Ray are so sweet with each other – they complement each other so well.

Thanks to my fabulous second shooter, Bunn Salarzon, here’s a rare photo of me in action on a wedding day:

Check back tomorrow for more of Callie and Ray’s big day!

Alright, alright, I know this photo has been on my blog at least ten times already, but it really is a favorite of mine. I feel like it sums up the spirit of my new designer senior sessions – it’s the energy and laughter of teenage girls, which is one of the most fun things ever.

This designer senior session was a total blast – Ali, Chelsea, Kristin, Lauren and Ali were such great models and they had loads of fun, too. We based the concept of this shoot on sort of a Roxy ad-sort of look. All the girls had their makeup done by Katrina, my great make-up artist, and I think they look really stunning. Then we ran around and had tons of fun by the pool.

These girls will all be seniors in the fall at Jesuit High, and I feel like they’re going to have a great senior year. Aren’t they so fun and energetic?

Friends is one of the things that designer senior sessions are all about. It’s about being with your friends and remembering that really special time in your life before you head off into the world.

Thank you so much, ladies, for having so much fun for me and for including me in it. Keep having fun!